Brits will soon be able to store digital driver’s licences and veteran cards on their smartphones, thanks to a new UK Government initiative. Ministers announced that the digital wallets, accessible via a UK Government app, will allow users to prove their age in places like pubs, shops, and bars, or even online.
The wallet will use security features already built into modern smartphones, including facial recognition, similar to the technology used for digital bank card payments, the Mirror reported.
While the digital system will be optional, the government reassured the public that physical documents will still be available. The wallet will be part of a new gov.uk app, set to launch this summer.
By 2027, the digital wallet is expected to hold a variety of documents, including Blue Badges, PIP letters, and DBS checks. The government also plans to digitize birth certificates, marriage certificates, and passports.
However, passport digitization may take longer as it will require global coordination to ensure acceptance at airport gates. In addition to accessing vital official documents, Brits will soon be able to use the new app for tasks like applying for childcare or reporting a lost passport.
The digital wallet will also allow users to prove their entitlement to benefits and opt for virtual government communications, including letters and official documents.
In the future, there may even be the option to add documents like driving licenses to popular platforms like Apple or Google Wallets.
The move to digital documents offers enhanced security, combating fraud by utilizing technology that protects against theft or hacking. Unlike paper documents, which can be easily stolen, digital wallets ensure that only the user can access their personal information.
Beyond security, digital wallets are expected to save time and money, particularly when it comes to replacing lost or stolen documents.
The government has assured the public that it will not store any data related to the use of documents, such as when, where, or what is being accessed. In the future, an AI-powered chatbot will be incorporated into the app to assist users in navigating the extensive resources available on gov.uk.
Thousands of civil servants have already tested the new technology as part of efforts to streamline and modernize outdated government processes.
Peter Kyle, the Technology Secretary, is leading the charge to digitize government operations, aiming to speed up slow and costly procedures.
As part of this push, Kyle recently unveiled AI tools called ‘Humphrey’, named after the iconic fictional character Sir Humphrey Appleby from the 1980s BBC sitcom Yes Minister. These tools will be introduced to civil servants to help modernize Whitehall and reduce reliance on expensive external consultants.
This initiative follows a review of old government systems, revealing that HMRC takes 100,000 calls and the DVLA processes 45,000 letters every day.
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology has projected that speeding up these processes and cutting back on consultancy spending could save up to £45 billion.
Mr Kyle said: “Along with CDs, the Walkman and flip phones, the overflowing drawer rammed with letters from the Government and hours spent on hold to get a basic appointment will soon be consigned to history. GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.
“For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before.
“Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data.
“We will be overhauling how the public sector uses technology which is essential to delivering our Plan for Change, and in combination with this new tech for people to use themselves, we are going to slash the time people waste dealing with annoying processes so they can focus on what matters to them.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID. The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone.”
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